The West Chester defense opened the game by forcing a three-and-out, including stopping a third-and-one to force the punt. Then the offense looked like the offense of old as the line opened holes for Ja'Den McKenzie and Cooper Jordan to pick up big yards on the ground. Ultimately Cooper completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to D'Shaun Seals to cap the 11 play, 72 yard drive.
The Golden Bears responded with a time-consuming drive of their own and penetrated to the WCU 21, but a zero blitz resulted in a sack by linebackers Khalib Slaughter and Jackson Taylor and the subsequent 44-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. Jordan capped another time-consuming drive with a 15-yard touchdown run to put the Golden Rams up 14-0. This time, Kutztown opened the response with a 45-yard run and eventually got to a first-and-goal from the four. But the West Chester defense stood tall, stuffing the Kutztown running game on all four plays. Unfortunately, the Golden Rams fumbled the ball away, giving Kutztown possession on the WCU 26 with 90 seconds left in the half. But a David Blay tackle for loss, a couple of false start penalties on the Golden Bears, and a Taylor sack sent everyone to the locker room without further scoring.
Rahiem Bowens hauls in a catch among KU defenders (Photo Joan Gillen)The second half started slowly for the purple and gold. The offense went three-and-out and Kutztown went 70 yards on nine plays to cut the lead to 14-7. When West Chester's next possession stalled at the Kutztown 33, Coach Bill Zwaan shrewdly elected to punt which was downed at the two-yard line. The Golden Ram defense forced another three-and-out and the subsequent Kutztown punt was blocked by Sterlen Barr giving the Golden Rams possession at the Kutztown four-yard line. It took four downs, but McKenzie plowed into the end zone from the one to go up 21-7.
Jackson Taylor with one of his 11 tackles (Photo Joan Gillen)Kutztown would drop a punt on the WCU one-yard line and they would get a safety by taking down McKenzie in the end zone to cut the score to 21-9. But the Golden Ram defense would force yet another three-and-out, their fifth of the game. McKenzie and Jordan would then go on another long march to the end zone, chewing up four minutes before McKenzie scored from the seven to set the final score of 28-9.
Ja'Den McKenzie broke numerous tackles on the day (Photo Joan Gillen)West Chester won the ground game, 247-150. And while Jordan was only 3 of 9 passing, he did have 129 yards and a touchdown rushing. McKenzie netted 98 yards and two scores and broke numerous tackles along the way. Taylor had a game-high 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Kicker Sean Henry had a tremendous day. Besides completing all four PAT's, none of his six kickoffs were returned and four went for touchbacks, including a kickoff from the 20 after a personal foul penalty. Henry also averaged 39 yards on three punts and had one downed at the two.
David Blay drags down a Golden Bear (Photo Joan Gillen)
Cooper Jordan was too elusive for Kutztown (Photo Joan Gillen)West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Upsets Kutztown on the Road, 28-9
Kutztown Athletic Site - Golden Bears Drop Home Finale Against West Chester, 28-9
Reading Eagle - Kutztown fall to West Chester in college football
WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Kutztown
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